THE sound of a rugby ball being kicked was once again heard at Newtown Rugby Club’s Recreation Ground last week.

The home club hosted local rivals Welshpool in a 10-a-side friendly which represented the first match for either in 18 months.

The return to action is all the more poignant for the home club who will mark their 50th anniversary this year.

Chairman James Holloway said: “We are looking forward to what will be the clubs 50th anniversary season with a great deal of optimism.

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Newtown Rugby club coach Stephen Rowlands. Picture by Gary Williams.

“We have a new senior coaching structure with Gavin Randell appointed as Head of Rugby taking overall responsibility for the playing side at the club and Steve Rowlands leading the coaching set up for the senior men’s teams.

“Under the guidance of Gavin and Steve the club is working with the age grade coaches to develop a consistent gameplan, one that will make Newtown Rugby an exciting team to watch.

“We currently have a very young senior squad with many players playing their first season of senior rugby, we recognise that we will be going into games as underdogs this season, but as a club we have taken the decision to invest in this group of young players for the long term and build for the next few years.

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Newtown rugby players at training. Picture by Gary Williams.

“It is testimony to the hard work of the club and local schools that rugby is thriving in the town enabling us to put out a team of entirely local players, who have all progressed through the clubs junior section.”

Holloway said development of local talent was key to the club’s plans.

He said: “We are proud to offer a pathway for local children to play rugby through to the highest level, we have a dedicated team of qualified coaches supported by our WRU Hub Officer Gareth Kelly who works with the club and local schools providing the best coaching to develop young players.

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Newtown Rugby Club. Pic by Rob Davies

“Sport is always at its best when you have local players representing their home town.

“For Newtown Rugby it all starts with our juniors, we have a proven track record of developing young players with many of our juniors representing North Wales.

“We welcome boys and girls of any age to try rugby at the club, we start at under 7s all the way through to under 18s.”

For more information contact the club at rugby@newtownrugby.co.uk.